Interchangeable bullet proof panels

ABSTRACT

A bullet proof accessory including a case. The case includes at least a first section and a second section. The first section has a first pouch and a first case connector. The second section is coupled to the first section by a fabric so that an inner surface of the first section folds along the fabric onto an inner surface of the second section in a folded configuration. The second section includes a second pouch and a second case connector. A first case panel made of a bullet resistant material is disposed within the first pouch. A second case panel made of the bullet resistant material is disposed within the second pouch. The first case connector releasably secures to the second case connector to retain the case in the folded configuration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisionalapplication No. 62/587,804, filed Nov. 17, 2017, the contents of whichare herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to bullet proof panels and, moreparticularly, to interchangeable ballistic panels that are carried ineveryday bags.

A bulletproof vest, ballistic vest or bullet-resistant vest is an itemof personal armor that helps absorb the impact from firearm-firedprojectiles and shrapnel from explosions and is worn on the torso. Softvests are made from many layers of woven or laminated fibers and can becapable of protecting the wearer from small caliber handgun and shotgunprojectiles, and small fragments from explosives such as hand grenades.Metal or ceramic plates can be used with a soft vest, providingadditional protection from rifle rounds, and metallic components ortightly woven fiber layers can give soft armor resistance to stab andslash attacks from knives and similar close-quarter weapons.

A mass shooting is an incident involving multiple participants offirearms-related violence. Mass shootings typically happen in areaswhere people are defenseless and do not have access to protective armor.

As can be seen, there is a need for interchangeable ballistic panelsthat are carried in everyday bags.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a bullet proof accessorycomprises: a bag comprising an outer surface, an inner surface definingan internal cavity, a shoulder strap, a bag connector, and at least onepocket; a first bag panel made of a bullet resistant material disposedwithin the at least one pocket; a case comprising at least a firstsection, a first pouch defined on the first section, and a first caseconnector; and a first case panel made of the bullet resistant materialand disposed within the first pouch, wherein the case fits within theinternal cavity of the bag in a stowed position, and the first caseconnector releasably secures to the bag connector in a deployed positionso that the case is attached to and hanging below the bag.

In another aspect of the present invention, a bullet proof accessorycomprises: a case comprising: a first section comprising a first pouchand a first case connector; and a second section coupled to the firstsection by a fabric so that an inner surface of the first section foldsalong the fabric onto an inner surface of the second section in a foldedconfiguration, wherein the second section comprises a second pouch and asecond case connector; a first case panel made of a bullet resistantmaterial, the first case panel being disposed within the first pouch;and a second case panel made of the bullet resistant material, thesecond case panel being disposed within the second pouch, wherein thefirst case connector releasably secures to the second case connector toretain the case in the folded configuration.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front and rear view of an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention in anopened configuration;

FIG. 4 is a front view of an embodiment of the present inventionattached to a tote bag;

FIG. 5 is a front view of an embodiment of the present inventionattached to a tote bag and illustrated being worn on a front side of auser; and

FIG. 6 is a front view of an embodiment of the present inventionattached to a tote bag and illustrated being worn on a rear side of auser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, the present invention includes a bulletproof accessory 10. The bullet proof accessory 10 includes a case 12.The case 12 includes at least a first section 12 a. In some embodiments,the case 12 further includes a second section 12 b. The first section 12a has a first pouch 18 a and a first case connector 14. The secondsection 12 b is coupled to the first section 12 a by a fabric so that aninner surface of the first section 12 a folds along the fabric onto aninner surface of the second section 12 b in a folded configuration. Thesecond section 12 b includes a second pouch 18 b and a second caseconnector 14. A first case panel 20 made of a bullet resistant materialis disposed within the first pouch 18 a. A second case panel 20 made ofthe bullet resistant material is disposed within the second pouch. Thefirst case connector 14 releasably secures to the second case connector14 to retain the case in the folded configuration.

The present invention may include a bag 24, such as a tote bag, a purse,or a backpack. The bag 24 includes an outer surface 26, an inner surfacedefining an internal cavity, a shoulder strap 28, a bag connector 14,and at least one pocket. A bag panel 20 made of a bullet resistantmaterial is disposed within the at least one pocket. The first caseconnector 14 releasably secures to the bag connector 14 in a deployedposition so that the case 10 is attached to and hanging below the bag24, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 through 6.

The bullet resistant material of the present invention may be tightlywoven fabric, a metal or ceramic plate, or a combination thereof. Incertain embodiments, the outer surface of the case 10 or the bag 24 maybe made of a tightly woven fabric and a bullet resistant plate may besecured within the pouches and pocket.

In certain embodiments, the bag connector 14 is a bag snap buttoncoupled to a bag strap extending from a closure of the bag 24. The firstcase connector 14 is a first case snap button coupled to an outersurface of the first section 12 a. The second case connector 14 is asecond case snap button coupled to a case strap extending from the outersurface of the second section 12 b. The connectors 14 are not limited tosnap buttons, and may include, but are not limited to, buckles, ties,hook and loop fasteners, magnets, clips, clamps, and the like.

The case 12 may be used as a folder and may store either devices,notebooks, or other items. For example, the case 12 may include aretaining flap 15 coupled to the inner surface of the second section 12b. A user 30 may store personal items in the retaining flap 15, closethe case 12, and connect the first and second case connectors 14together. The user 30 may then store the case 10 in their bag 24.

The case 12 of the present invention may further include straps foradditional grasping and positioning. For example, a looped strap 16 maybe coupled to an outer surface of the second section allowing a user 30to grab the case 12 and use it as a shield. Additionally, a pair oflooped side straps 32 extend from opposing sides of the second section12 b. The pair of looped side straps 32 allows the user to support thecase 12 in an elevate position.

The case 12 of the present invention may be carried around in the bag 24when in a stowed position and not in use. If there happens to be ashooting, the user 30 may remove the case 12 and use the case 12 as ashield. The user 30 may also unfold that case 12 and connect theconnector 14 of the case 12 to the connector 14 of the bag 24 and letthe case 12 hang down in a deployed position. The user may then placethe shoulder strap 28 around their neck and position the panels 20 oneither the front of the body or the rear of the body and have full bodyprotection. The user 30 may also be on the run. In such situations, theuser 30 may grasp the side straps 32 and hang the present invention ontheir back.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bullet proof accessory comprising: a bagcomprising an outer surface, an inner surface defining an internalcavity, a shoulder strap, a bag connector, and at least one pocket; afirst bag panel made of a bullet resistant material disposed within theat least one pocket; a case comprising at least a first section, a firstpouch defined on the first section, and a first case connector; and afirst case panel made of the bullet resistant material and disposedwithin the first pouch, wherein the case fits within the internal cavityof the bag in a stowed position, and the first case connector releasablysecures to the bag connector in a deployed position so that the case isattached to and hanging below the bag.
 2. The bullet proof accessory ofclaim 1, wherein the case comprises the first section and a secondsection coupled together by a fabric so that an inner surface of thefirst section folds onto an inner surface of the second section in afolded configuration, wherein the second section comprises a secondpouch and a second case panel made of the bullet resistant material isdisposed within the second pouch.
 3. The bullet proof accessory of claim2, wherein the first section comprises the first case connector and thesecond section comprises a second case connector capable of releasablysecuring to the first case connector to retain the case in the foldedconfiguration.
 4. The bullet proof accessory of claim 3, furthercomprising a looped strap coupled to an outer surface of the secondsection.
 5. The bullet proof accessory of claim 3, wherein the bagconnector is a bag snap button coupled to a bag strap extending from aclosure of the bag, the first case connector is a first case snap buttoncoupled to an outer surface of the first section, and the second caseconnector is a second case snap button coupled to a case strap extendingfrom the outer surface of the second section.
 6. The bullet proofaccessory of claim 2, further comprising a retaining flap coupled to theinner surface of the second section.
 7. The bullet proof accessory ofclaim 2, further comprising a pair of looped side straps extending fromopposing sides of the second section.
 8. A bullet proof accessorycomprising: a case comprising: a first section comprising a first pouchand a first case connector; and a second section coupled to the firstsection by a fabric so that an inner surface of the first section foldsalong the fabric onto an inner surface of the second section in a foldedconfiguration, wherein the second section comprises a second pouch and asecond case connector; a first case panel made of a bullet resistantmaterial, the first case panel being disposed within the first pouch;and a second case panel made of the bullet resistant material, thesecond case panel being disposed within the second pouch, wherein thefirst case connector releasably secures to the second case connector toretain the case in the folded configuration.
 9. The bullet proofaccessory of claim 8, further comprising a looped strap coupled to anouter surface of the second section.
 10. The bullet proof accessory ofclaim 8, wherein the first case connector is a first snap button coupledto an outer surface of the first section and the second case connectoris a second snap button coupled to a case strap extending from the outersurface of the second section.
 11. The bullet proof accessory of claim8, further comprising a retaining flap coupled to the inner surface ofthe second section.
 12. The bullet proof accessory of claim 8, furthercomprising a pair of looped side straps extending from opposing sides ofthe second section.